Orcas Island – The Dream Within the San Juans
Shaped like a horseshoe and often called “the gem of the San Juans,” Orcas Island is a stunning blend of natural beauty, vibrant community, and adventure. Home to about 6,000 full-time residents, this 57-square-mile paradise offers the most diverse landscape in the archipelago—from rocky shorelines and hidden coves to the breathtaking summit of Mt. Constitution at 2,400 feet.
It’s a haven for outdoor lovers: hike through the mossy old-growth forests of Moran State Park, swim in crystal-clear lakes, or wander the wild trails of Turtleback Mountain Preserve. The island’s energy invites both solitude and discovery.
In the heart of it all, the village of Eastsound pulses with creative spirit. You’ll find artisan boutiques, local grocers, cozy cafes, and exceptional farm-to-table dining—set against the rhythm of island life.
People come for the views and stay for the community. On Orcas, beauty isn’t just in the land—it’s in the way people live, connect, and care. This is island living at its most magical.
San Juan Island – Gateway to the Wild and Wonderful
San Juan Island is where vibrant island life meets untamed beauty. Anchored by the charming port town of Friday Harbor—your gateway to adventure—it’s the cultural and civic heart of the archipelago. With around 10,000 year-round residents, it’s the most populous of the islands, yet still feels like a peaceful escape from the fast pace of the mainland.
Stroll the marina, explore the art galleries, enjoy waterfront dining, or catch the sunset from a ferry deck. Then venture beyond town: winding roads lead you past rolling farmland, serene forests, and down to the iconic Roche Harbor Resort—a storybook harbor village filled with history, elegance, and easygoing charm.
On the island’s rugged western edge, Lime Kiln Point State Park stands as one of the best places in the world to witness orcas from shore. Set against the dramatic Haro Strait, it’s a place where sea meets soul, and where the wild still feels close enough to touch.
Whether you're sailing in, hiking out, or simply watching the sky change color over the water, San Juan Island invites you into a life of beauty, purpose, and wonder. This isn’t just a destination—it’s the dream you didn’t know you were waiting for.
Lopez Island – The Art of Slowing Down
Known affectionately as “the Friendly Isle,” Lopez Island welcomes you with open skies, open hearts, and a slower rhythm that soothes the soul. With a tight-knit year-round community of around 2,500, it’s the kind of place where people still wave as they pass—on bikes, tractors, or winding coastal roads.
The island’s gentle, rolling terrain makes it perfect for cycling, wandering, and long, thoughtful drives through farmland framed by wildflowers and water views. With over 60 miles of coastline and miles of beach access, Lopez invites you to explore tidepools, kayak quiet coves, or just sit and watch the tides shift.
In Lopez Village, you’ll find locally loved cafes, farm-to-table restaurants, charming galleries, a beloved bookstore, and a community spirit that feels like home. Spencer Spit State Park—138 acres of marine bliss—is ideal for camping, crabbing, and connecting with nature.
Nicknamed “Slow-pez” by locals, this is a place where time stretches out and life feels a little more whole. Whether you're watching the sun set over the Sound, biking along a misty morning trail, or gathering with neighbors under star-filled skies—Lopez Island is where the dream becomes your every day.
Shaw Island – Quiet, Wild, and Wonderfully Untouched
Shaw Island is the San Juans in their purest form—wild, peaceful, and deeply rooted in simplicity. Just eight square miles and home to around 200 year-round residents, Shaw is the smallest island served by the Washington State Ferries. It’s also one of the most sacredly preserved.
With no commercial development beyond the beloved Shaw General Store and post office, life here moves gently, guided by nature and community. There are no hotels, no crowds—just forest trails, open meadows, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands: South Beach, where you can pitch a tent and sleep under the stars with nothing but the sound of waves and wind in the trees.
Shaw is for the dreamers who crave quiet, the artists who seek inspiration, and the adventurers who know the best journeys are the simple ones. It’s a place to unplug, slow way down, and feel a little more human.
Here, the luxury is in the stillness. The adventure is in the simplicity. And the beauty? It’s everywhere.